Microscopes Enter the Mobile Age

It may seem long overdue, but the microscope has officially entered the mobile age. Two young developers have designed the Skylight, which connects any camera-equipped smartphone to virtually any microscope.

The lightweight plastic device clamps onto a microscope while a smartphone is held in place with its camera lens lined up over the microscope’s eyepiece. The Skylight essentially allows you to take a cellphone picture of exactly what the microscope is seeing.

The developers believe their product will both improve healthcare in developing countries and empower more young students to take an interest in science and medicine.

In developing countries, where many lack access to trained medical personnel, the Skylight will increase the scope of telemedicine. The device will allow medical workers in rural areas to share diagnostic microscope images with specialists thousands of miles away via email, video conferencing software, or other forms of real-time viewing.

The Skylight also adds a new element to the science classroom, connecting the age-old microscope technology to the tactile, social technology of smartphones and tablets that children today have grown up using.

The developers are utilizing Kickstarter to find funding for the finishing touches of their product. They set a goal to raise $15,000 for package design, manufacturing specifications, and the establishment of distribution channels. With five days left to collect donations, they have already exceeded their goal by more than $5,000.

Be on the lookout for Skylight in the coming months, as it is sure to have an impact on global healthcare.